Becoming A Blogger

Picture this.  A college student standing in front of the refrigerator.  The shelves are dimly lit and hold only mayonnaise, orange juice, bread ends, apples, and a container of unrecognizable goop.  There might be some peanut butter and Lay’s chips in the pantry.  Maybe. 

“Who wants to order pizza?”

Appetizing Adventures is meant to supply the college-aged crowd with simple, delectable meals that won’t break the bank.  As the author, I hope to approach this subject with a fun, conversational vibe.  I want readers to feel like they are in the kitchen with me as I release posts three times each week.  With the input of local chefs, intriguing blogs, and personal experience, we will cover anything from finding the best kitchen supplies to putting together the perfect barbecue.    

The purpose of my blog is food, but also to learn how to blog and practice journalistic writing.  I am a 13-year member of Weld County 4-H whose favorite expression is “Learn by Doing”.  The same principle flows into this blog.  Through the expression of cooking, baking, and grilling in blog posts each week, I am developing the skills I need to become a successful blogger. 

Part of being successful is practicing journalistic writing.  Blogging tends to be a bit more conversational.  Nonetheless, it is a form of journalism.  Connecting with audiences through words and images is an overarching goal of the field.  That can be found on the nightly news, in a magazine, or online.  Perfecting the ability to blog is mastering one of the many forms of journalistic writing.  Challenge accepted.

Overall, I have very little experience in the world of journalism.  The highlight of my professional experience came when I was published in the UNC Mirror for a short time.  Despite my lack of professional experience in journalism, I have always loved to write.  Bringing thoughts, images, and events to life through words is an incredible feat.  Being a part of that has always thrilled me.

  Becoming a food blogger is not simply about sharing recipes.  It is about learning how to become a successful blogger, developing a recipe box of my very own, and being able to continue writing even after the class is complete.  I chose this beat to be able to share my personal endeavors with others and, while I’ve never covered a beat, I cannot wait to get started.

Every author holds strengths and weaknesses.  I struggle with seeking out sources and feel that I lack the ability to interview them to their full potential.  However, I do have an ability to write and edit, and have a knack for creating and connecting with others. 

I have zero experience as a blogger.  Because of that, I am nervous about being able to find compatible sources, writing for a casual audience instead of a professor, and lacking professional journalistic experience.  Even so, I am aware that I have qualities to be confident about.  I have an uncanny ability to connect with people, I am truly passionate and interested about my topic, and am always looking for ways to expand my writing skills.

Mike Butcher says,

“Blogging is a conversation, not a code.”

This blog is not meant to be cracked.  It is meant to be read, shared, and enjoyed by anyone who stops to visit its words.  By the end of this course, I hope to be an active member of the food blogging conversation.